This project attempts to shed light on the mechanisms that contribute to ethnic differences in African American and Hispanic adipose tissue morphology and adipose tissue gene expression.

Despite similar propensities for obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in African Americans and Hispanics, there are distinct differences between these two ethnic groups, such as the striking difference in the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Obese young adults in this cross-sectional study will be asked to complete an adipose tissue biopsy, Dexa, abdominal MRI, and glucose and fructose tolerance tests.